Hi! Sorry, I know it's been really long. I forgot I was writing this story and found it on my computer. I'm going to continue working on it, but...well college applications so I'm not going to update everyday. If you're still reading, God bless you. (Oct. 23, 2011)

"Welcome home, Lady Hinata!" said a Hyuga clan member as Hinata entered the complex.

"Hello!" said Hinata happily, "it's wonderful to see you again."

"I will get your sister."

"Please."

Gaara and Hinata sat down together in the grand Hyuga family living room. The carpet was designed in a large yin-and-yang logo with numbers around the large circle.

"You have a beautiful home," said Gaara.

"Thank you," said Hinata softly.

Later, the Hyuga returned with Hanabi Hyuga, Hinata's little sister. She was now a little more grown up than she was, but she was still a young girl. Hinata hated the idea of seeing her have to fight for clan leadership against Neji.

"Hinata!" said an excited Hanabi.

"Hanabi!" responded Hinata, equally excited.

The two embraced in a sisterly hug.

"I came as soon as I heard!" said Hinata.

"Yes," said Hanabi, "it was so sudden, we don't know how it happened. All we know is that father's body was found dead on our doorstep."

"Are you alright, Hanabi," asked Hinata, "I know father wanted Neji to be clan leader."

Hanabi nodded. "I know," she said quietly. Hanabi's pale eyes looked around the room. She wanted to change the subject to Gaara, but first she had to finish the conversational topic.

Dynastical politics were difficult to the thirteen year old. All she wanted to do was focus on being a good ninja, but now her focus was on becoming leader of the Hyuga clan. She didn't ask for this; it was put on her shoulders. She wasn't ready for anything like this. Hanabi was still so young, so innocent to be pushed into this world.

Gaara looked out the window into the forests encircling Konoha. There was something about this village that he loved, not more than his own, but still a certain fondness of this village. There was something he could not put his finger on, yet it was constantly bugging him. He had half a mind to go walk around the streets, but his love for Hinata kept him trapped behind the Hyuga clan walls.

"Hanabi…" said Gaara, quietly. "How did it happen?"

Hanabi blinked her eyes slowly. "Honestly," she began, "I don't know. All I know was that his body was found at the village gates, cut and bleeding."

Hinata took a deep sigh. "He was a great man."

Hanabi nodded. "Yes, he was."

After a few moments of silence, the Hyuga from before reentered the room.

"Ladies Hinata and Hanabi, Lord Kazekage."

"Yes," asked the Kazekage.

"Here is a request from the clan elders," he said, "the three of you must attend the Hyuga family meeting tomorrow at noon."

"Family meeting?" asked Hanabi, "why wasn't I told of this."

"It was a edict so recently declared, my Lady, the clan elders want to choose a new head of the family."

"Now!" exclaimed Hinata, shocked but still shy, "but it's so soon since my father's death."

"I'm sorry, my Lady," replied the Hyuga, "I did was not at the meeting."

"If the elders want a meeting," said Hanabi quietly, "then we'll have a meeting."

The Hyuga was just about to leave, when Hanabi spoke up.

"And make it a point to invite my cousin."

"What was that, my Lady?"

"My cousin," said Hanabi, "Neji."

"Would that be wise?" asked the Hyuga.

"Look," said Hanabi, "as heiress, I can make some decisions on my own, and I want to make sure both sides of this feud are present."

"But My Lady!"

"You heard her," said Gaara, "listen to the girl."

The Hyuga nodded and left the room.

"This feud ends tomorrow," said Hanabi.

"Thank goodness," said Hinata.

"I don't think it's that simple, Dear," said Gaara. "Tomorrow, all hell is going to break loose unless someone stops it."

"What do you mean, Gaara?" asked Hinata.

"Hinata…" said Gaara, "I think you will have to make a speech before the elders."

"What!" exclaimed Hinata, "I can't! I can't!"

"Hinata," whispered Hanabi, "the clan elders are split 50-50 between Neji and me, you have to be the one to break the tie."

"But…"

"Hinata…" said Hanabi, "I want you to exercise your judgment on this issue. I don't care who you choose, whether it is me or Neji, I know you will choose right."

"But I can't Hanabi!" said Hinata, almost sobbing, "I can't."

"…but you will…" said Gaara quietly, "aren't you."

Hinata stared in space. She wanted to cry. How could she, the true heiress of the family choose someone else to become the head, and worse, how could she choose between Neji and Hanabi. This was too much. There were too many emotions conflicting at that moment.

Hinata nodded slowly.

"I will."

Naruto and Sakura walked down the roads together. Sakura wanted to walk quietly and slowly, but Naruto was giddy.

"Can you believe it, Sakura!" exclaimed Naruto, "Hinata and Gaara!"

"Yeah," said Sakura, "unbelievable."

"I mean…it's just so random! I can't remember a time when they said two words to each other!"

"Just right out of the blue…"

"What's up Sakura?" asked Naruto, "you don't seem excited at all."

"Why should I be excited? It doesn't affect us."

"But…" began Naruto in disbelief, "they're our friends."

Sakura shook her head. "I guess…" She put a phony smile on her face. She knew it would fool Naruto. "Yeah!" she said smiling. "They are our friends…"

Naruto smiled back at Sakura. The two of them continued their walk. Every once in a while there were whispers around them from people who knew the truth about Naruto and Sakura's faux relationship.

Darkness fell on Konoha. It wasn't a bad darkness, and despite the evening the streets of Konoha were still bright with city lights. Of course, where Hinata was, she was not given the luxury of lights. She had left Gaara asleep and had wandered into the dark forests to experience them again. She ran through the trees, played with sticks, and picked flowers. It was almost as if she was a little girl again. As she ran barefoot across the meadow, she could almost feel the life sliding across her soles, and that enriched her soul.

The soft moonlight was reflecting off her white skin so well. This was home, this was where her heart was. As she ran across the light roads of the forest with nothing but moonlight guiding her, she couldn't help but remember all the memories that happened in this forest. Whether it was with family, friend, or by her lonesome, the memories rushed through her mind like a river rushes downhill.

She stopped her running and began to walk along the road. Each step casted a shadow from the moonlight upon fallen leaves. As she looked ahead, she saw something in the forest. She was a little frightened, but she was also excited to see what someone was doing in the forest. Anyway, she was a ninja, there was no way some guy was going to take advantage of her.

"Hello?" she whispered.

There was a rustling as the shadow approached her. When she heard no reply, she wanted to run, but suddenly the silence was broken.

"Hinata?" asked Naruto's voice.

"Oh God, no," thought Hinata. "Not now of all times…"

Naruto ran up to her with his trademark smile. "Hinata! Long time no see."

Hinata grinned and nodded politely. Seeing him again was overwhelming to her. He had grown much more handsome in the months she had been gone, if not a little more emaciated, but other than that, Naruto was the picture of health and fitness. As she saw him walk up to her, a part of her wanted to be in his muscular arms forever, and another part wanted to yell cruel things at him. This conflict of emotions, as well as those she had received from news of her father's death, the anticipation of the Hyuga clan elders meeting, and her confusion in her relationship with Gaara, all played together to make her a bundle of nerves, a paper bomb that could go off at any moment.

"Hi Hinata!" laughed Naruto, "I saw you with Gaara today!"

"You saw that!" she said suddenly.

"Yeah! I'm so happy for you guys."

A little part of Hinata's heart broke a little. Happy for her? She was actually hoping he would be jealous. That…she didn't know…some blind fury or something that she had read in romance novels. She looked back into Naruto's blue eyes, but she could hardly see them in the darkness. She laughed to herself quietly. What she was hoping for, that was definitely not Naruto.

"So why are you back, Hinata?" asked Naruto.

"My dad died…"

"Oh, I'm so sorry," said Naruto, "I wish you could come back to happier occasions."

"Yeah…" Hinata started to cry. They were tears for multiple reasons, and this emotional rollercoaster was not helping. Any normal girl would run away, but Naruto…Naruto gave Hinata a bizarre confidence that only Naruto can give.

"You know," said Naruto, "if you don't feel up to talking…"

"No!" Hinata said. She didn't know why. At first she thought that Naruto's presence would bother her, but now, for the first time, she realized she needed it. Sitcoms always joke that men never know what women want, but for Hinata, well, she began to believe that no one, male or female, really knows what they want. It's a bad comparison, but Naruto's personality is like a drug. Once someone experiences the smile, charm, and warmness of Naruto's personality, they can never get enough.

"Oh okay," said Naruto. He gave a weak smile that people give when they don't know what to say. "Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

Now was her chance. She could tell Naruto the truth. She could reveal her feelings for the second time in her life.

"Naruto," said Hinata, taking a step forward. As she took a step, her foot sank into a pile of sand. She looked down at her bare foot in the sand and remembered the past year in Suna. She remembered the village, the people, and more importantly, Gaara. What would a second confession to Naruto accomplish? Naruto was already with Sakura, and she was already with Gaara. All she would do is add more drama, and that is not what Hinata needed right now.

"Yes Hinata?" asked Naruto.

Hinata took a deep breath. No, now was not the time for a confession.

"Naruto," began Hinata, "do you know about Hanabi and Neji?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, I'm glad you're alright, Hinata, I'm sure your time in Suna helped you rehabilitate."

Not even understanding what Naruto was saying, Hinata just nodded. "Well," said Hinata, "tomorrow, the elders of the Hyuga clan are going to meet and talk about the new leader of our clan."

"Isn't that kinda soon?" asked Naruto.

"Yeah," said Hinata, "but that's what's going to happen."

"Oh, okay," said Naruto, "that must be hard for you."

Hinata nodded. "It is, but what's worse is that…well…" Hinata refrained, frightened about revealing too much.

Naruto reached out his hand on Hinata's shoulder. "Go ahead, Hinata," said Naruto, "I'm going to be Hokage someday, and I need to know about these problems."

Hinata shook her head. "I-I-I need to make a speech choosing my sister or my cousin. I'm the deciding vote!"

Naruto's jaw dropped. Hinata would make the decision that determined the fate of Konoha's most powerful clan. Even someone as dense as Naruto understood that a Hyuga clan civil war would involve the entire village, and though the peace treaties and post-war pacifist sentiment was still prevalent over the world, no one knew if one of the other villages would take advantage of Konoha in its weakened state.

It didn't really matter who Hinata choose so much as it was how Hinata chose them. She needed to make sure she was fair, clear, and convincing.

"So Naruto," began Hinata, "who do you think I should choose? Should I go with my father's wishes and choose Neji or with tradition and Hanabi?"

Naruto blinked and thought for a moment. "Well," said Naruto, "you're asking a really tough question. Cause, you know what I think about tradition."

Hinata smiled. "Yeah, the villagers were really cruel."

"No, not that," said Naruto, "I love tradition. I don't think we would be Konoha if he didn't have our traditions. If we don't have anything to base ourselves on, then who are we at all?"

"Oh," said Hinata.

"But," continued Naruto, "I think that tradition sometimes prevents us from having good leaders, and that we sometimes give up opportunities for the sake of keeping traditions."

"So who do you think I should choose?"

"Well… Look Hinata, I don't know much about politics or families cause I've never really had any of those things. And I really don't know much about your sister, but I…well…if I were you…I would choose Neji. I know Neji and I think he would make a great leader of a clan."

Hinata nodded. "Yeah, you're right." It was true, Hinata knew she would have to choose Neji all along. Ever since she learned that Neji and Hanabi would be challenging each other for the leadership of the clan, she knew that Neji would win, either peacefully or otherwise.

Hinata looked up at Naruto. "Thank you so much."

Naruto nodded. "I hope you solve this problem peacefully."

"Thank you, thank you."

Naruto smiled at Hinata. "And congrats on the new relationship with Gaara."

Hinata tensed up and nodded. In the distance, the bell of the Konoha clock tower signified that is was midnight.

"Well," said Naruto, "looks like I have to go."

Hinata stared at the love of her life. She wanted to tell him to stay, but how could she. Besides, she had a lot to do tomorrow, and she needed her rest as well.

"Goodbye Naruto, thank you for everything."

"I hope to see you again."

"I've always dreamed you'd say that."

Naruto smiled not understanding and waved goodbye. As he walked away, Hinata watched him. Although he never left her eyes, her thoughts were elsewhere. She had to do a million things at once, and the biggest problem at hand would begin in twelve hours.